Star Eagle pops shoulder as Rachele inspires Crows
Star forward Jake Waterman could be set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines after dislocating his right shoulder in West Coast's 66-point loss to Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
In a match played in a swirling breeze, Adelaide led by just four points midway through the second quarter before piling on 10 of the next 12 goals to set up the 19.14 (128) to 8.14 (62) win.
Josh Rachele was the star of the show in Sunday's win with five goals, while Jordan Dawson tallied 27 disposals, eight clearances, two goals and 602m gained.
Tempers boiled over in the dying minutes when Eagles recruit Liam Baker pushed his forearm into the back of James Peatling's neck while the Crow was face-down on the ground.
The incident sparked a major melee that is sure to attract plenty of fines.
The percentage-boosting result ensured Adelaide (7-4) will finish the round in the top four, while West Coast (1-10) couldn't reproduce the heroics from last week's breakthrough win over St Kilda.
Adding to West Coast's woes was an injury to Waterman, whose right shoulder popped out after he was sandwiched in a final-quarter marking contest.
Waterman had been a rare shining light for West Coast with three goals, but his season could be over if he requires surgery.
The 27-year-old was immediately in pain and had to go to the bench to have his shoulder put back in place. He was seen with his arm in a sling after the match.
The Crows were error-riddled early against the Eagles, but once they hit their straps they were simply unstoppable.
Reilly O'Brien (45 hitouts) was the dominant figure in the ruck, while Izak Rankine (23 disposals, six clearances, one goal) was a creative spark.
Rachele hadn't kicked five goals since his debut in 2022, and he was lapping up his efforts on Sunday.
"It's been a while - 64 games later. It's good to get another bag," Rachele told Fox Sports.
West Coast were breathing a huge sigh of relief when veteran Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker was ruled out an hour before the first bounce.
Walker kicked bags of 10 and nine goals against West Coast in 2023, but the Crows decided it was time to rest the 35-year-old.
Adelaide kicked four goals to three with the aid of the breeze in the first quarter, with West Coast's intense pressure hard to shake.
West Coast won the territory battle in the second quarter, but it was Adelaide's efficiency up forward that proved the difference.
The Crows' lead extended to 23 points late in the quarter when Riley Thilthorpe kicked his second goal of the match.
But when Waterman nailed Josh Worrell with a brutal holding-the-ball tackle and then converted his 48m set shot after the half-time siren, the margin was back to a more manageable 17 points.
However, the third quarter became an avalanche of goals as Adelaide finally clicked into gear.
The Crows kicked 7.7 from 23 inside 50s - including two goals in the space of a minute from Rachele - as the margin swelled to 57 points by the final change.
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